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The Link: Revolutions

History is riddled with changes and upheavals in all sorts of areas, from colonial revolutions to film. Rise up with us and learn about various revolutions through time in this month’s newsletter.

New resources that will be added to the ipl2 are noted NEW! All other resources can already be found in the ipl2 collection.

The American Revolution

Since this newsletter is inspired by the 4th of July, we would be remiss not to include a section about the American Revolution. Check out the following links to learn more about the birth of the United States of America!

This website, produced by the National Archives, is a tour through the documents that led to the establishment of the United States of America. In addition, this site includes pictures of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights and quotes from the Founding Fathers.

Literary Revolutions
Throughout history the human civilization has seen several literary revolutions that have changed the way we view and disseminate books and ideas. Come with us on a journey into the literary past with the sources below.

The Renaissance was an extraordinary time period not just for artwork and science, but for literature as well Gutenberg’s printing press revolutionized the creation of books and made literature available to the masses, not just the privileged elite, which helped accelerate the creation of literature as we know it today. Read about this revolution on the Renaissance site, highlighted in “Printing and Thinking.”

The Harlem Renaissance, 1919-1937, was a period when the African American community came into their own through literature, music, and the arts. Grow acquainted with the novels, authors, and major figures of the Harlem Renaissance through this research and reference guide.

The 1960s changed the way many people viewed the world, and no realm of culture was untouched–including literature. Famous authors such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William Burroughs paved new literary roads, and books poured out of authors on all kinds of social issues. Be a hip cat and catch up on all of the novels and writers here at the Psychedelic ’60s website.

Film Revolutions

Since its inception, the technology used to produce films has changed greatly. Along with these advances, the styles, genres, techniques and special effects showcased have also transformed. Throughout the years many revolutions within the film industry have sparked these transformations and allowed them to take place.

This website provides a timeline of cinema’s early years, beginning in 1827 and ending in 1905. Also detailed are the various revolutionary technologies pioneered and developed over the course of film history, which enables audience members to view movies in stunning detail today. The resource allows viewers to learn more about film visionaries and specific cinematic technology as well as explore additional sources.

During Bollywood’s Golden Age, Hindi cinema had a profound effect on the global film industry by being the catalyst for many new movements, including the “coming of age” genre. This website is devoted to Hindi cinema and feature movie reviews, information on new releases and interviews with popular film stars. It also discusses the music used in these movies and has a section dedicated to regional releases.

Conceived in the early 1900’s and still popular today, animation devised by American and Japanese creators is a prominent genre in the film industry. This website details the rise of all types of animation and provides examples of notable films that feature this technique. Divided up into five parts, this resource also mentions well-respected cartoonists and artists.

Communication Invention Revolutions

Today people take for granted the myriad of ways to communicate with others. There are cell phones, email, instant messaging, television and, of course, the Internet. The inventions during the late 1800s are what allowed these current methods to be created. Here are some sources that will allow you to see how the telegraph, telephone and radio created such an impact.

Samuel F. B. Morse took the use of electricity and combined it with the common practice of signally messaging over a long distance with flags. This site, maintained by the Library of Congress, bases its records on the primary sources recorded by Morse throughout his life.

As the radio’s invention was built upon the creation of the telegraph and the telephone, this site’s creators provide information regarding both inventions as well as extensive links to the various uses of radio from its infancy through World War II.

Music Revolutions

The arts, like everything else, seem to experience sudden, revolutionary leaps. The following sites provide information about some of the rebels and their music.

This PBS series is the Classical version of VH1’s “Behind the Music.” The hosts focus on the biographical and historical context in which famous composer existed. Season 1, Revolutions In Music, highlights several famous composers and their revolutionary music.

The British are coming! The British are coming! It may look like this site was designed in the early 1960’s when the “British Invasion” was getting underway, but it’s actually loaded with information about the many bands that landed in America with a new, revolutionary sound.

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